Patents by Inventor Brian Cecil Stearns

Brian Cecil Stearns has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200144959
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the mounting systems described herein may be configured to mount a solar panel array to a flat concrete roof like those found throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America. Other systems described herein may be configured to facilitate mounting structures on standing seam metals roofs. Still other systems described herein may be configured to facilitate mounting structures on composite shingle, slate, or tile roofs. The mounting systems described herein may be configured as rail-less or rails free roof mounting systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: BRIAN CECIL STEARNS, ALEXANDER GRANT BORNEMANN
  • Patent number: 10644643
    Abstract: A roof mount for mounting at least one solar panel to a roof surface including a base. The roof mount includes a clamp connected to the base and a first recess sized to support a first solar panel. The first recess has a first height extending between a first top flange and a first bottom flange. The clamp also includes a second recess sized to support one of a second solar panel and a skirt flange. The second recess has a second height extending between a second top flange and a second bottom flange. The roof mount further includes a fastener connected to the clamp. The second fastener is operable to adjust the first and second heights, such that upon tightening of the second fastener, the first height increases and the second height decreases, and upon loosening of the second fastener, the first height decreases and the second height increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ecofasten Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 10594251
    Abstract: A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ecofasten Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
  • Patent number: 10476425
    Abstract: A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: EcoFasten Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 10472828
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a tile system for mounting structures to a roof may comprise a base assembly, a fastener, a seal, a flashing, and a mounting bracket. The fastener may be installable on the base assembly. The seal may be installable on the fastener. The flashing may be configured to replace a roof tile. Moreover, a protrusion may be field formed in the flashing during installation of the tile system by driving the fastener through the flashing in response to the base assembly being positioned on the roof surface. The bracket may be installable on the fastener and configured to compress the flashing against the seal and the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: EcoFasten Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 10469023
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the mounting systems described herein may be configured to mount a solar panel array to a flat concrete roof like those found throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America. Other systems described herein may be configured to facilitate mounting structures on standing seam metals roofs. Still other systems described herein may be configured to facilitate mounting structures on composite shingle, slate, or tile roofs. The mounting systems described herein may be configured as rail-less or rails free roof mounting systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: EcoFasten Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20190106885
    Abstract: A mount assembly is provided for mounting a structure to a roof having a top surface. The mount includes a flashing including an aperture; a bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an opening and a countersink extending around the opening, the second portion extending at an angle away from the flashing, the second portion including a slot configured to be coupled to the structure; a fastener extending through the aperture and through the opening of the bracket; and a seal extending around the aperture and positioned between the flashing and the first portion of the bracket, the seal engaging the countersink of the bracket and being compressed against the flashing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 10218304
    Abstract: A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Rillito River Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
  • Publication number: 20180375461
    Abstract: A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 10151114
    Abstract: A mount assembly is provided for mounting a structure to a roof having a top surface. The mount includes a flashing including an aperture; a bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an opening and a countersink extending around the opening, the second portion extending at an angle away from the flashing, the second portion including a slot configured to be coupled to the structure; a fastener extending through the aperture and through the opening of the bracket; and a seal extending around the aperture and positioned between the flashing and the first portion of the bracket, the seal engaging the countersink of the bracket and being compressed against the flashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Rillito River Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20180347196
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a tile system for mounting structures to a roof may comprise a base assembly, a fastener, a seal, a flashing, and a mounting bracket. The fastener may be installable on the base assembly. The seal may be installable on the fastener. The flashing may be configured to replace a roof tile. Moreover, a protrusion may be field formed in the flashing during installation of the tile system by driving the fastener through the flashing in response to the base assembly being positioned on the roof surface. The bracket may be installable on the fastener and configured to compress the flashing against the seal and the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20180337628
    Abstract: A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
  • Publication number: 20180316301
    Abstract: A roof mount for mounting at least one solar panel to a roof surface including a base. The roof mount includes a clamp connected to the base and a first recess sized to support a first solar panel. The first recess has a first height extending between a first top flange and a first bottom flange. The clamp also includes a second recess sized to support one of a second solar panel and a skirt flange. The second recess has a second height extending between a second top flange and a second bottom flange. The roof mount further includes a fastener connected to the clamp. The second fastener is operable to adjust the first and second heights, such that upon tightening of the second fastener, the first height increases and the second height decreases, and upon loosening of the second fastener, the first height decreases and the second height increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20180294764
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the mounting systems described herein may be configured to mount a solar panel array to a flat concrete roof like those found throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America. Other systems described herein may be configured to facilitate mounting structures on standing seam metals roofs. Still other systems described herein may be configured to facilitate mounting structures on composite shingle, slate, or tile roofs. The mounting systems described herein may be configured as rail-less or rails free roof mounting systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: BRIAN CECIL STEARNS, ALEXANDER GRANT BORNEMANN
  • Patent number: 10097132
    Abstract: A roof mount for mounting at least one solar panel to a roof surface including a base. The roof mount includes a clamp connected to the base and a first recess sized to support a first solar panel. The first recess has a first height extending between a first top flange and a first bottom flange. The clamp also includes a second recess sized to support one of a second solar panel and a skirt flange. The second recess has a second height extending between a second top flange and a second bottom flange. The roof mount further includes a fastener connected to the clamp. The second fastener is operable to adjust the first and second heights, such that upon tightening of the second fastener, the first height increases and the second height decreases, and upon loosening of the second fastener, the first height decreases and the second height increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Rillito River Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 10090801
    Abstract: A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Rillito River Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
  • Patent number: 10060133
    Abstract: A mount assembly is provided for mounting a structure to a roof having a top surface. The mount includes a flashing including an aperture; a bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an opening and a countersink extending around the opening, the second portion extending at an angle away from the flashing, the second portion including a slot configured to be coupled to the structure; a fastener extending through the aperture and through the opening of the bracket; and a seal extending around the aperture and positioned between the flashing and the first portion of the bracket, the seal engaging the countersink of the bracket and being compressed against the flashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20180226914
    Abstract: A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
  • Patent number: 10014818
    Abstract: A roof mount for mounting at least one solar panel to a roof surface including a base. The roof mount includes a clamp connected to the base and a first recess sized to support a first solar panel. The first recess has a first height extending between a first top flange and a first bottom flange. The clamp also includes a second recess sized to support one of a second solar panel and a skirt flange. The second recess has a second height extending between a second top flange and a second bottom flange. The roof mount further includes a fastener connected to the clamp. The second fastener is operable to adjust the first and second heights, such that upon tightening of the second fastener, the first height increases and the second height decreases, and upon loosening of the second fastener, the first height decreases and the second height increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Rillito River Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 9985575
    Abstract: A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Rillito River Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann